FLORIDA REGISTERED VOTERS’ ATTITUDES ABOUT FLORIDA’S QUALITY OF WATER AND WATERWAYS Sponsored by the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County and the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition March 4, 2020 Prepared by: Dr. Monica Escaleras, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Business and Economics Polling Initiative Disclaimer: When presenting results of the survey to the media and through other public channels of communications (website, social media, print and online publications, etc.) The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County and the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition state that the poll was conducted by the Business and Economics Polling Initiative at Florida Atlantic University. FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 1 Table of Content Methodology…………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Survey…………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………..10 Analysis………………………………………………………………………………….11 Results…………………………………………………………………………………...20 FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 2 Methodology The survey’s goal was to gauge Floridians views on the quality of Florida’s waterways. The data was collected from February 1st to February 15th 2020 using a mixed mode sample of online and telephone participants. The survey was presented in both English and Spanish languages. All respondents interviewed in this study were part of either a fully representative sample using mixed mode random stratified probabilistic sampling and a non-probability panel sample, N=1,150 Floridians over the age of 18, based on a series of screening questions. The credibility interval for the sample is +/- 2.9% in 19 of 20 cases. The survey was administered using an Automated Telephone Interviewing (ATI) system (n=265). The ATI system allows data to be entered directly into a computerized database through the numbers on interviewee’s phone, providing a highly reliable system of data collection. The survey was also administered through Dynata a Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 38 Years. An online sample consisted of (n=885). Responses for the entire sample were weighted to reflect the statewide distribution of the Florida voting age population by gender, age, ethnicity, education and region. The results presented in this report include univariate and bivariate analysis of the data. Frequency distributions for each item included on the questionnaire are shown in the tables. In some cases, cross-tabulation results are also shown. This type of bivariate analysis examines differences between sub-groups of the overall population. FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 3 Demographic Results What is your gender? Frequency 507 Male Female Total Percent Valid Percent 44.1 44.1 643 55.9 55.9 1150 100.0 100.0 Cumulative Percent 44.1 100.0 What is your age? 18-34 35-49 158 13.7 13.7 24.3 50-64 284 24.7 24.7 49.0 65 and over 586 51.0 51.0 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Total Percent Valid Percent 10.6 10.6 Cumulative Percent 10.6 Frequency 122 Which of the following best describes your race? Hispanic or Latino White or Caucasian Frequency 258 Percent Valid Percent 22.4 22.4 Cumulative Percent 22.4 772 67.1 67.1 89.6 Black or African 65 5.7 5.7 95.2 Asian 14 1.2 1.2 96.4 Other or multiple races Total 41 3.6 3.6 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 4 What is your highest level of education? Less than high school High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college of Associate's degree Bachelor's degree or higher Total Frequency 37 Percent Valid Percent 3.2 3.2 Cumulative Percent 3.2 211 18.3 18.3 21.6 369 32.1 32.1 53.7 533 46.3 46.3 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Are you currently registered to vote? Democrat Frequency 494 Percent Valid Percent 43.0 43.0 Cumulative Percent 43.0 Republican 455 39.6 39.6 82.5 Independent/other 201 17.5 17.5 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Total Language English Frequency 892 Spanish 258 22.4 22.4 1150 100.0 100.0 Total Percent Valid Percent 77.6 77.6 Cumulative Percent 77.6 100.0 Mode Online Frequency 748 Percent Valid Percent 65.0 65.0 Phone 402 35.0 35.0 Total 1150 100.0 100.0 Cumulative Percent 65.0 100.0 FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 5 Region Northwest Florida Northeast Florida 124 10.8 10.8 23.0 East central Florida 219 19.0 19.0 42.0 West central Florida 311 27.0 27.0 69.0 South Florida 356 31.0 31.0 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Total Percent Valid Percent 12.2 12.2 Cumulative Percent 12.2 Frequency 140 FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 6 Survey Instrument 1. What is your gender? Male Female 2. Are you currently registered to vote as a democrat, republican, something else or are you not registered to vote? Democrat Republican Independent/other If you are not registered to vote (end survey) 3. How concerned are you about the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries? Not at all concerned Slightly concerned Moderately concerned Extremely concerned 4. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “Healthy, clean waterways (i.e. lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries) are important for Florida’s economy and the health of its citizens.” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 5. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “The government (state, county, city) should do more to protect water quality Florida’s waterways (i.e. lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries).” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 6. How important is it to you to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water? Very important Important Moderately important Slightly important Not important FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 7 7. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “The government (state, county and city) should do more to protect Florida’s drinking water.” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 8. How important is it to you to clean up Florida’s waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)? Very important Important Moderately important Slightly important Not important 9. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I am willing to pay $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries).” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 10. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?” I am willing to pay $3 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries).” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 11. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I am willing to pay $4 per month to help pay for project to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries).” Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 12. What is your age? 18 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65 and over FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 8 13. For statistical purposes only, which of the following best describes your race? Hispanic or Latino of any race White or Caucasian Black or African Asian Other or multiple races 14. What is your highest level of education? Less than High school High School graduate (includes equivalency) Some college or Associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree or higher 15. How long have you lived in the state of Florida? Less than 1 year 1 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 11 - 25 years More than 25 years 16. What is your county? FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 9 Executive Summary • There is an overall concern about the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries. o When asked how concerned are you about the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries, 61% said they are extremely or moderately concerned. o Party Affiliation has an influence on Floridians attitudes towards the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries, where 69% of democrats are extremely or moderately concerned, republicans are 50% extremely or moderately concerned and 65% of independents are extremely or moderately concerned. • There is an overall support among registered voters for the government to protect the water quality of Florida’s waterways. o Overall, 81% of Floridians strongly agree or agree that the government (state, county, city) should do more to protect the water quality of Florida’s waterways. o Regardless of party affiliation, most Floridians strongly agree or agree that the government should do more to protect the water quality of Florida’s waterways. Specifically, 84% of democrats strongly agree or agree, 79% of republicans strongly agree or agree and 79% of independents strong agree or agree. • Most Floridians think it is important to clean up Florida’s waterways. o Overall, 87% of Floridians think it is very important or important to clean up Florida’s waterways. o Regardless of party affiliation, most Floridians think it is very important or important to clean up Florida’s waterways. Specifically, 92% of democrats think it is very important or important, 84% of republicans think it is very important or important and 82% of independents think it is very important or important. • Majority of Floridians are willing to pay at least $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways. o Overall, 62% of Floridians are willing to pay $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways. o There is a difference in the willingness to pay $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways based on party affiliation. Specifically, 70% of democrats strongly agree or agree to pay at least $2 while 58% of republicans strongly agree or agree and 55% of independents strongly agree or agree. FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 10 Analysis Question: How concerned are you about the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries? FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 11 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “Healthy, clean waterways (i.e. lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries) are important for Florida’s economy and the health of its citizens” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 12 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “The government (state, county, city) should do more to protect water quality Florida’s waterways” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 13 Question: How important is it to you to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water? • 72% of males and 74% of females think it is very important to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water. • All regions of Florida think it is very important to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water (Northwest Florida (76%), Northeast Florida (72%), East central Florida (78%), and West central Florida (68%)). • All age groups think it is very important to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water (18-34 (56%), 35-49 (72%), 50-64 (82%), and 65+ (84%)). • Regardless of party affiliation, all Floridians think it is very important to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water (democrats (78%), republicans (69%), and independents/other (69%)). FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 14 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “The government (state, county and city) should do more to protect Florida’s drinking water” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 15 Question: How important is it to you to clean up Florida’s waterways? FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 16 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I am willing to pay $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 17 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I am willing to pay $3 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 18 Question: Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I am willing to pay $4 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)” FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 19 Results Are you currently registered to vote as a democrat, republican, something else or are you not registered to vote? Frequency 507 Percent 44.1 Valid Percent 44.1 Cumulative Percent 44.1 Republican 406 35.3 35.3 79.4 Independent/other 237 20.6 20.6 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Democrat Total How concerned are you about the water quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries? Frequency 164 Percent 14.3 Valid Percent 14.3 Cumulative Percent 14.3 Slightly concerned 280 24.4 24.4 38.6 Moderately concerned 389 33.9 33.9 72.5 extremely concerned 317 27.5 27.5 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 Not at all concerned Total Healthy, clean waterways (i.e. lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries) are important for Florida’s economy and the health of its citizens.” Frequency 687 Percent 59.8 Valid Percent 59.8 Cumulative Percent 59.8 agree 275 23.9 23.9 83.7 neutral 134 11.6 11.6 95.3 disagree 34 3.0 3.0 98.3 strongly disagree 20 1.7 1.7 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree Total FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 20 The government (state, county, city) should do more to protect water quality Florida’s waterways (i.e. lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries). Frequency 644 Percent 56.0 Valid Percent 56.0 Cumulative Percent 56.0 agree 292 25.4 25.4 81.3 neutral 159 13.8 13.8 95.1 disagree 35 3.0 3.0 98.2 strongly disagree 21 1.8 1.8 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree Total How important is it to you to have plenty of safe and clean drinking water? Frequency 841 Percent 73.1 Valid Percent 73.1 Cumulative Percent 73.1 186 16.2 16.2 89.3 moderately important 72 6.3 6.3 95.5 slightly important 39 3.4 3.4 98.9 not important 12 1.1 1.1 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 very important important Total The government (state, county and city) should do more to protect Florida’s drinking water Frequency 694 Percent 60.3 Valid Percent 60.3 Cumulative Percent 60.3 agree 283 24.6 24.6 85.0 neutral 135 11.7 11.7 96.7 disagree 21 1.8 1.8 98.5 strongly disagree 17 1.5 1.5 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree Total FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 21 How important is it to you to clean up Florida’s waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)? Frequency 696 Percent 60.5 Valid Percent 60.5 Cumulative Percent 60.5 311 27.1 27.1 87.6 moderately important 96 8.3 8.3 95.9 slightly important 22 1.9 1.9 97.8 not important 25 2.2 2.2 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 very important important Total I am willing to pay $2 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)? Frequency 394 Percent 34.2 Valid Percent 34.2 Cumulative Percent 34.2 agree 324 28.2 28.2 62.4 neutral 276 24.0 24.0 86.4 disagree 83 7.3 7.3 93.6 strongly disagree 73 6.4 6.4 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree Total I am willing to pay $3 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)? Frequency 307 Percent 26.7 Valid Percent 26.7 Cumulative Percent 26.7 agree 285 24.8 24.8 51.5 neutral 321 27.9 27.9 79.4 disagree 145 12.6 12.6 92.0 92 8.0 8.0 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree strongly disagree Total FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 22 I am willing to pay $4 per month to help pay for projects to clean up our waterways (lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries)? Frequency 256 Percent 22.3 Valid Percent 22.3 Cumulative Percent 22.3 agree 203 17.6 17.6 39.9 neutral 287 25.0 25.0 64.9 disagree 246 21.4 21.4 86.3 strongly disagree 158 13.7 13.7 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 strongly agree Total How long have you lived in the state of Florida? Frequency 68 Percent 5.9 Valid Percent 5.9 Cumulative Percent 5.9 1-5 years 158 13.7 13.7 19.6 6-10 years 131 11.4 11.4 31.0 11-25 years 313 27.2 27.2 58.2 more than 25 years 481 41.8 41.8 100.0 1150 100.0 100.0 less than 1 year Total FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative 23